2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog

Academic Appeal

Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards (CAGAS)

The Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards (CAGAS) is responsible
for recommending and evaluating policies concerning admission, retention, graduation, and
academic standards and for establishing some of the procedures to carry out such policies.
It also serves as an appellate body regarding such policies and procedures. CAGAS (ten
faculty and two student members) meets weekly during fall and spring semesters, as well as
several times during the summer.

Academic Dishonesty Appeal

Western Illinois University is dedicated to the discovery and communication of knowledge.
The University can best function and accomplish its objectives in an atmosphere where
high ethical standards prevail. For this reason, and to ensure that the academic work of all
students will be fairly evaluated, the University strongly condemns academic dishonesty.
WIU’s policy on academic integrity is available at wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php.

Grade Appeal

It is the responsibility of any student wishing to pursue an academic grade appeal involving
a faculty member to discuss the matter privately with the professor involved by the end of
the second week of the regular semester (Fall or Spring) following the term in which the
student received the grade in question. Grade appeal hearings are normally heard during
the Fall/Spring semester unless all parties agree to an earlier hearing. In the event the
student is unable to contact the professor by the beginning of the third week of the regular
semester (Fall or Spring), the student should contact the department chairperson in order
to set up a meeting with the faculty member (or to meet with the department chairperson if
the faculty member is no longer on campus). WIU’s grade appeal policy is available at
wiu.edu/policies/gradeapp.php.

Oral English Proficiency Appeal

Students who have complaints concerning the oral English proficiency of faculty providing
classroom instruction should contact the department chairperson or the immediate
supervisor of the appropriate faculty member. The complaint should be as specific as
possible and should include a written summary.

All complaints shall be investigated by the department chairperson including, but not
limited to, classroom visitation. If the department chairperson finds the faculty member’s
oral English proficiency is satisfactory, he/she will notify the student.

Students may appeal the department chairperson’s satisfactory evaluation of oral English
proficiency to the appropriate dean who shall investigate the complaint. If the dean finds
the faculty member’s oral English proficiency is satisfactory, the dean will so notify the
student. In the event of such a finding, the decision of the dean shall be final.

If the department chairperson or dean finds the faculty member’s oral English proficiency
is unsatisfactory, a recommendation shall be submitted to the academic vice president for
consideration. The academic vice president will notify the student and the faculty member
of his/her decision.

At all levels of this procedure, the student’s identity will remain confidential.

Right of Academic Appeal

Students have the right to appeal the implementation of any University regulation which
relates to admission, academic standards, or graduation by submitting a formal written
appeal to the Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards (CAGAS). Such
appeals must be based upon the existence of unusual or extenuating circumstances which
have prevented the student from achieving the normal University standard, and evidence of these unusual or extenuating circumstances must be presented with the appeal. Such
appeals must be submitted to the CAGAS office, Sherman Hall 110.

Withdrawal from an Individual Course Appeal

Students may appeal to the Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards
(CAGAS) for a late withdrawal from an individual course, provided the student can
document extenuating circumstances. All appeals should include sufficient documentation
of any extenuating circumstances which explain why a student was unable to follow the
proper procedure for withdrawing from the course prior to the end of the tenth week of
the term. The student must also have the instructor of the course send a statement verifying
grades on quizzes, tests, assignments, and last date of attendance. Appeals and support
documentation must be submitted to the CAGAS office, Sherman Hall 110.

Withdrawal from the University Appeal

Students may appeal for a late withdrawal from the University and receive a W for each
course, provided the student can document extenuating circumstances. All requests should
include sufficient documentation of any extenuating circumstances which explain why a
student was unable to follow the proper procedure for withdrawing from the University
prior to the end of the tenth week of the term. The student’s request must be submitted in
writing with appropriate, supporting documentation to the Office of Student Development
and Orientation.

If the Office of Student Development and Orientation denies the request, the student may
appeal the decision to the Council on Admission, Graduation, and Academic Standards
(CAGAS). Students are advised to attend classes, if possible, until a final decision is reached.

After the close of the semester, a student may appeal directly to CAGAS for late withdrawal.